Osteoarthritis Management with PRP Technology at Westway Animal Clinic

At Westway Animal Clinic, we are dedicated to providing the highest quality care for our furry companions, especially when it comes to managing chronic conditions like osteoarthritis (OA). Our commitment to innovation and excellence has led us to integrate the latest advancements in veterinary medicine into our multimodal approach to OA management.

Current Multimodal Approach to OA Management

Our current multimodal approach to managing OA focuses on addressing pain and inflammation while promoting joint health and mobility. Key components of our approach include Weight Management, Exercise Modification, Dietary Management, Pharmaceuticals, Laser Therapy and Acupuncture. 

New To Westway Animal Clinic: PRP Technology

We are excited to announce the addition of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) technology to our arsenal of OA management strategies. PRP therapy is a regenerative medicine technique that utilizes the patient’s own blood to promote healing and reduce inflammation in affected joints.

PRP is blood that has been processed, typically using centrifugation, to contain a higher concentration of platelets than whole blood. These platelets are rich in growth factors that play a crucial role in tissue repair and regeneration. The idea behind PRP is to condense the anti-inflammatory growth factors found inside platelets so that when we put them in an injured tendon or an arthritic joint, they can help by decreasing the inflammation present and supporting healing.

The Process for PRP Treatment

The PRP treatment process for a pet takes about 15 to 60 minutes, depending on the system used, and includes:

• Sedation: The pet may be sedated or anesthetized, depending on their temperament and the treatment area. 
• Blood Draw: Blood is aseptically drawn from the pet. 
• Processing: The blood is processed, typically by centrifugation. 
• Injection: The PRP is aseptically injected into the affected tendon or joint. 
• Exercise Restriction: The pet’s activity is restricted for one to two days, per most veterinarians’ recommendations. Some patients can experience mild discomfort with joint injections for ~24-72 hours. Pain management such as an oral NSAID (if appropriate for that patient) can be prescribed.

Most pet owners report their pet has improved two to three days after treatment. Some report a relapse two weeks after PRP treatment but then see a sustained benefit. Some pets may need a second PRP treatment to see clinical results.

Therapeutic effects can last up to 5 months or as long as 12 months.

By delivering a concentrated dose of growth factors directly to the site of injury, PRP therapy stimulates healing and reduces inflammation, ultimately improving joint function and mobility.

Applications of PRP Therapy

Most pets suffering from osteoarthritis are PRP candidates, and most research has been focused in this area. Tendon conditions, such as shoulder tendinopathies and Achilles tendon injury, are the second-most common area of concentration and may benefit from PRP, often in conjunction with surgery.

Limited investigation to determine if PRP could be helpful has also been performed in other areas:

• Corneal Ulcers: A 2021 study demonstrated that PRP injected subconjunctivally can effectively treat corneal ulcers in dogs and cats. 
• Wound Healing: A small 2020 study suggests that PRP may enhance wound healing in dogs. 
• Bone Healing: A 2019 study demonstrated that PRP injection can accelerate bone healing in dogs with acute bone fractures.   
• Prostatic Cyst Treatment: In a 2018 study, PRP was injected into 10 dogs who had prostatic cysts, and all resolved. However, the study didn’t compare the results with other treatments or no treatments, so the significance is unclear.

The PRP studies data are promising but extremely limited. More research is needed before these applications can be recommended.

Our Commitment to Excellence

If your pet is struggling with OA or you would like to learn more about PRP therapy and our comprehensive approach to OA management, please don’t hesitate to contact us. Our goal is to send pets home happier, and more comfortable than how they come in. 

At Westway Animal Clinic, we are committed to providing the highest standard of care for our patients. Our integration of PRP technology into our multimodal approach to OA management reflects our dedication to innovation and excellence in veterinary medicine.

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